Top 3 Toyota Corolla trims head to head: here’s our winner.

By Farzana Chaumoo

You’ve already selected the 2018 Toyota Corolla as your ideal daily compact sedan, now to choose a trim level that meets your specific needs! Read what each trim highlights, why the Prestige+ is where our money would go.

Prestige+

Our pick goes to one of the higher level and special edition Prestige+ model as it is one of the best looking Corollas. This trim adopts a bi-tone colour scheme and receives a gloss black (Attitude Black) roof. Gloss black accents further extend to both upper and lower radiator grilles, the power adjustable side mirrors, as well as the vertical ‘blades’ at the bumper’s edge. Fog lamps are a standard feature on the Prestige+ edition. Furthermore, an elegant Prestige+ badge is affixed to the boot lid to signify the model’s credentials.

Three exterior paint options are available for the Prestige+: Glacier White, Satin Silver and Graphite Grey. All of which are paired with the Attitude Black roof. This model also gets ultra-stylish 17-inch alloy wheels which incorporate a bi-tone, bi-textured design with directional spokes creating a sense of forward motion.

Inside the cabin, seats have been composed with a leather and fabric combination and get Prestige+ branded floor mats. A Piano Black effect has been applied to the door trim accents (silver in the normal Corolla models) to complete the package and visually tie in with the exterior elements.

The Prestige+ model is only available with the 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine that puts out 90 kW (that's almost 121 horses) and 154 Nm of torque. Buyers have the option to pair the engine with either a 6-speed manual gearbox or the ‘Multidrive’ Continuously Variable Transmission gearbox.

Exclusive

The 1.8 Exclusive model has a more masculine presence and a sportier look. On this model, you will notice the chrome-plated upper grille that extends from the grille centre around to the edges of the LED headlamps and continues into the headlamps. Body-coloured exterior mirrors are integrated with an indicator and are electronically adjustable. Exclusive models are then completed with 16” alloy wheels.

On the rear of the car, the rear lamps have a smoky upper outer lens to create contrast with the shiny chrome and a red lower outer lens that looks darker. The 1.8 Exclusive includes an outer lens with a 3D cross-section that further emphasises the lower-slung gravity and suspension. Exclusive models come with rear fog lamps and LED daytime running lights, with additional front fog lamps, LED combination lamps and automatic headlamp levelling.

Furthermore, Exclusive models can be started with the smart-entry system and have the automatic Follow-Me-Home light control system. It also has an automatic air-conditioner while the heater control panels have been updated with high-quality chrome-plated ornamentation and illumination and it gets a double-gauge metre and chrome-plated ornamentation.

Cruise control also features on Exclusive models along with rain sensing front window wipers. In terms of safety features, there are airbags for the driver, for front passengers and in the side doors, with additional driver knee and curtain shield airbags on 1.8 Exclusive models.

Esteem

The Esteem trim is the lowest level trim. It is fitted with fabric seats and has a urethane shift lever and knob (other models feature leather). It has manual air-conditioning and radio with no display audio. Only CD's can be played in the Esteem models compared to DVD compatibility in other models. The sound system also features only four speakers opposed to six speakers in other models. 

This trim also sees the Corolla rolling around on 15-inch steel wheels, opposed to alloys on the others, and it features halogen headlights. 

Esteem models have all the basic safety features that the other Corolla's have such as airbags (except for knee airbags which feature on the Exclusive models only), an anti-theft system, a speed-dependent auto door lock and more.

Read about how the Corolla fares against rivals: 

Family sedan shootout! Toyota Corolla vs Kia Cerato vs Ford Focus

Toyota Corolla Model Line-up and Pricing (2018)

Corolla 1.3 Esteem                  – R270 500*

Corolla 1.3 Prestige                 – R291 200*

 

Corolla 1.4D Esteem                – R304 400*

Corolla 1.4D Prestige               – R318 100*

 

Corolla 1.6 Esteem                  – R290 200*

Corolla 1.6 Prestige                 – R310 600*

Corolla 1.6 Prestige CVT         – R325 100*

 

Corolla 1.8 Prestige                 – R324 800*

Corolla 1.8 Exclusive               – R348 400*

Corolla 1.8 Exclusive CVT       – R361 700*

 

Corolla Prestige+ 1.6 6MT       – R318 500*    

Corolla Prestige+ 1.6 CVT       – R333 000*

 

*All prices and product availability were at the time of publishing and is subject to change without notice.

Jump ahead and start shopping for your very own Corolla here.